Onion-set-distributing machine



Oct. 2 1923.

A. D. CRAMER omen SET mswnmuwme MACHINE Filed March 15. 1925 2 Sheets=$heet 1 m 49 aw? WWW;

AW ATTORNEY.

A. 9,; CRAMER omopysm nis'm'ubnnns MAQHIIZNEIN Filed March 15. 1925' 2' Sh'eetwSheot 2 Patented Get. 2, 1923.

hearse stars-s,

' J atazea r w ,W ite l ALLEN n. CBAMER, or PLEasAiatcVALLErQ OWA,assrenon F ONi:l-iEIlIAtJLF "1. 0 ARTHUR ncnnnrnn, or rmasanrvannnnrown;

' ONION-SET-DISTRIBUTING MACHINE."

Application f led March 15,1923. seria iio. 625,400.. I i

To all whomit't may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN D. Cnni'rnn, a

citizen of the United States, ,residing' at, Pleasant Valley, in the countyv of Scott and State of, Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an'Onion-Set Distributing Machine, of which the follow.-

ing is a specification.

My invention/relates to onion .set distributing machines, and has for its purpose to facilitate the most tediousand time-talc ingpar-t of-the onion-planting operation.

I In the lar er-fields a .greatiquantity'of-the onion seed is used, and as is desirable to have these'eds spacedat 'regularrintervals,

. is frequently necessary. to employ a numher of helpers to perform this part-of thework. The chief purpose ofthe present.

invention is to provide. a machine whichwill convey a quantity of the seed onions, and. deliver them at regular intervals, indrills or furrows, ready to be covered.

appear from the following specification;

taken'in connection with the-accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows the invention in side elevation. I

Fig. 2 is a medial longitudinal section 7 thereof. 7

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same. J Fig. 4 is a detail of the agitator devices. Similar reference numbers refer to corresponding parts throughout the several figures. r

The reference number 1 indicates the frame of the machine, having a front axle 2 and rear axle 3, the front axle being supported by a pair of carryingwheels 4, and the rear axle by a similar pair of wheels 5, which are fixed to the axle so as to impart rotation thereto when the machine. is in motion. Rockinglymounted on the axle. 18 a frame formed of a pair of ,s'paced apart;

pieces 6, to the movable ends of which are i pivoted rods7, passing through keeperslc on the frame 1, in'which they can be held in adjusted positions by means of set-screws9- In the space between the; pieces 6 is operable an endless chain lQ, supported and driven at its lower-end a sprocket-wheel '11, andpassing at its upper end over a small sprocket-wheel 12, rotatably'mountediin the 7' upper end of the frame 6. Fixed to ;the. chain .1 0 atjclose i'ntervals are small buckets .13, each ofjwhichis ofTasuitja'bIe 1 size .to

.containan onion set ofrthesusual type for planting'j Secured to the pieces; 6 is a hop- T 7O wardly toward the space, between such p eces, such walls. also. convergingtoward theforward end ofthe hopper, as is shown.

per 14, thesides of; which are inclineddowm in Fig.3. In theoperation of themachine the buckets 13 move upwardly in the upper part of the frame 6, and back on the under sidethereof, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. Assuming the hopper 14 to be provided with a quantity of the seed, in the upward movement of the bucketsthey willbecome filled therewith, in the-usual-manner of seeding.

devices of this kind, the seeds being discharged from the buckets as theypass ovei the wheel 12. 1 4

Partially enclosing the fre e end of the frame 6 is a shield 15, by means'of which the onion sets are directed downwardly to a chute 16 mounted 1n a cross-plate 17 on the frame 1. Said chute delivers the sets to the ground, in rear of furrow-opener 18, secured to a standard 19, fixed to the plate 17. A continuous stream of the seed-passes through the chute, such seeds being distrib- 'uted at approximately regular intervals in the furrow formed by the opener 18. The seeds can then be covered by hand,'by tool especially provided for that purpose, or in and desired manner. I I

When the frame 6 is supported at anormal incline, and the hopper is provided with a quantity of onion sets of a uniform size, each of the buckets 13 will convey one of the seeds upwardly to the discharge point. This is on accountrofthe shape of the hopper, and I the'tendency of the seed to accumulate in the lower part of the hopper. In case extra V 14, which also reduces the degree of pitch- I seed attempt to ride upwardly on top of'the seeds inthe buckets, they soon roll back- Wardly into the bulk of the seeds below. In

some cases it is desired to increase the amount of discharge, so that a greater number of the sets will be distributed in a given l space. This is accomplished by lowering the movable end of'the' frame G,Iand hopper of the'chain 10, decreasing the tendency of the extra, setsto roll hackintothehopper.

If the inclination of the frame 6 is properly establishedea'ch'ofthe buckets 13 will carry an eatraseed, so thatthedehvery of these-ed tothe furrow-will lac-doubled;

To pre'v ent-"the sets from becoming we 'gestcd or packed in the hottomef the hopper an arm '20 isp *ovided, passingthrough a slot in one of the hopper sides, and connected with a leyerQl, fulcrumedon' the outer face of one of" the pieces 5, as atj'a. The sl iort arm of the lever 211 is engaged in each revolution of the' axle Shya' cam 22, secured to said was. The eyer'is' maintained in a forward position by means of omma-us coiled spring 23, fixed to said lever at one I end and tea pin in the frame 6 at the other with the; frame 1,] and provided with braces V end; givento the arm 20,"st1r=r1ng the seeds in the lower part-of the hopper;

.- he machine-is also provided with a pair of handles 24, shownfon-ly'i-n p art, connected VA reciprocating; j movement is thus /Vhat I claim and desire to secure Letters Patent, is:

1. A device, of the class, described, comprising a main frame and runn ng gear therefor; a frame rockingly-mounted on'said main 40 1 frame having a space longitudinally thereof; a seed receptacle mounted on said rocking frame, thesides of which incline towards the rocking point o-f said frame means for holdingsaid spaced frame in adjusted inclined position-s; an elevating "device operable, in the space in said rocking gframe, provided with .a' plurality of unioperatively connected .with said running gear; means for holdingthe swinging end of sa d receptacle in ad usted positiongwith device of the class described, comrockm-gly relation to" said frame; a fixed shield partially enclosing the discharge end of said receptacle; and a chute atthe lower end of said shield. v

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature; 

